It’s been almost a year since Harbhajan Singh, once India’s lead spinner, was dropped from the side in March last year after playing his 101st Test match against Australia in Hyderabad.

It’s been almost a year since Harbhajan Singh, once India’s lead spinner, was dropped from the side in March last year after playing his 101st Test match against Australia in Hyderabad.

Already out-of-favour in one-dayers since June 2011 means the Punjab spinner was no more in the selectors scheme of things. What made matters worse for him was his omission from the BCCI’s list of contracted players in November, raising serious doubts over his return to the national team.

However, staying positive seems to be the mantra for Harbhajan as he wishes to be a part of the Indian dressing room once again. “Every game is an opportunity for me to do something really special and this (Punjab’s quarterfinal match against J&K) is yet another opportunity,” Harbhajan, who skipped Punjab’s last league match against Jharkhand, said.

So far Harbhajan has picked 18 wickets in three matches with a nine-wicket match haul against Odisha and eight-wicket figure against Mumbai. “I have done really well so far in Ranji and T20 competitions. I need to do well and keep knocking on the door. Hopefully, I will be there where I want to be,” Harbhajan said.

The path may be difficult but with his colleague Zaheer Khan making a successful comeback, Harbhajan will be hoping for an encore.